As Victoria Moves to Join NSW & SA Bans

The Tasmanian Greens today moved to introduce a state ban on solariums and sun-beds by the end of 2014, which they intend to bring on for a vote tomorrow.

Greens Health spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP said that on Friday the Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu had announced he intended to follow the examples of New South Wales and South Australia by legislating to implement a ban by the end of 2014.

“It is time that we said enough is enough over these cancer-causing solaria,” Mr O’Halloran said.

“The reported statistics show that there are around 281 cases of melanoma, and 43 deaths caused by solariums in Australia each year. We also have to deal with the 10, 00 new melanoma cases and 1400 deaths in Australia each year.”

“It has long been recognised that solariums are undoubtedly linked to melanomas and cancer. Many health stakeholders, including the Cancer Council Tasmania have called for the ban of these machines for many years.”

“It has also been reported that one in six melanomas aged between 18-29 years old could be prevented if sun-beds and solariums were shut down.”

“Finally banning the use of these machines will send a strong message to the community, and make a real difference to the health of Tasmanians.”

“If Ted Baillieu can say, ‘I hate them… the days for solariums in Victoria are numbered’, then there is no excuse for the Tasmanian Parliament to not take action and vote in support of the Greens’ motion to also introduce a state ban which will be in place by the end of 2014.” [1]

Reference: [1] The Age newspaper, 16 November 2012.

Text of Greens’ Motion tabled below:
That this House notes:
1. Solariums emit UV radiation up to five times as strong as the midday sun, making this source of a tan extremely dangerous;
2. It is widely recognised throughout the health sector, that UV radiation from solariums can increase risk of people developing skin cancer;
3. Tanning beds are categorised as a grade 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research in Cancer, which is the same rating given to asbestos;
4. They also can cause:
a) Eye damage
b) Immediate skin damage
c) Suppression of the immune system
d) Premature skin ageing
5. Health stakeholders and non-government organisations such as the Cancer Council have been calling over the last five years, for the use of solariums and sun-beds to be banned;
6. NSW and SA will introduce a complete ban on solariums by the end of December 2014;
7. Victoria has also just announced that solariums will be banned within two years; and
8. Further, this House requests the Health Minister to commit to introducing, at the earliest possible opportunity, legislation to ban the use of solariums and sun-beds in Tasmania by the end of December 2014.

Paul O’Halloran MP Greens Health spokesperson Tuesday, 20 November 2012